Professor Jenny May named as new National Rural Health Commissioner

Professor Jenny May AM has been named the new National Rural Health Commissioner, with the experienced rural GP and health educator to focus on improving rural health policies.

The Office of the National Rural Health Commissioner (ONRHC) was established in 2017 to ensure rural communities had an independent voice to champion meaningful reforms and innovation. Inaugural Commissioner Professor Paul Worley was replaced by outgoing Commissioner Adjunct Professor Ruth Stewart in 2020. 

Professor May received the Order of Australia in 2016 for significant service to community health in rural and regional Australia as a general practitioner, to professional medical groups, and to education. 

Her experience includes 35-plus years working as a rural GP in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and New South Wales, and a sting in rural Canada. Professor May is also the current Director of the University of Newcastle Department of Rural Health and has 20 years’ experience in health education. 

“Jenny’s experience, expertise and drive will help continue the reforms necessary to build better models of care suited to the needs of people living outside of our cities,” Mark Butler, Minister for Health and Aged Care said. 

“We are strengthening Medicare and rolling out important health reforms to make sure that no matter where people live in Australia they can get the right care, at the right time, by the right team.

“On behalf of the Government I thank outgoing commissioner, Adjunct Professor Ruth Stewart, for her work to make sure the voices of rural, regional and remote Australians were amplified and listened to when it comes to their health services.”

The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) also welcomed the appointment as Professor Dan Halliday, President, highlighted the importance of having someone who understands that flexibility and sustainability are both essential.

“Healthcare leaders such as those in role of the National Rural Health Commissioner are pivotal in influencing positive outcomes for communities and the profession. ACRRM looks forward to developing a strong working relationship with Prof May to enable us to meet our goals,” he said.

One of the current priorities for the ONRHC is the National Rural and Remote Nursing Generalist Framework 2023-2027 which is for Registered Nurses who want to work at their full scope of practice in rural and remote locations. 

The Framework recognises rural and remote nurses provide primary health, acute and aged care in small teams, or in isolation, and nursing educators are required to provide additional support to best prepare RNs for those careers.

Deputy Commissioner Faye McMillan has also represented the ONRHC at the Thin Markets: Rural and Remote Aged Care roundtable hosted by Anika Wells, the Minister for Aged Care. This ongoing focus on attracting and retaining nurses and carers in rural and remote settings is a common theme, not just for aged care, but for multidisciplinary healthcare teams. 

One example where the National Rural Health Commissioner has led investments into regional aged care is the Primary Care Rural Innovative Multidisciplinary Models (PRIMM) grant opportunity.

Outgoing Commissioner Adj/Professor Stewart chaired the panel process to determine PRIMM recipients, including Beechworth Health Service who completed their project on a multidisciplinary aged care model in the Upper Hume region of Victoria.

Moving forward, the need to focus on improving health outcomes for people who live in rural and remote areas will not lessen. Aged care remains at the forefront of the issue as service providers offer opportunities for older people to age within their communities. 

Professor May officially starts as Commissioner on September 2 with an Acting National Rural Health Commissioner to be appointed for the meantime.